Erin Terpstra

So, you’re ready to build your website (yay, go you!), but now you’re stuck on the million-dollar question: WordPress or Shopify? Both are powerhouse platforms, but they’re designed for very different needs. Picking the right one is like choosing between coffee and tea—both great, but one definitely fits your vibe better. Let’s break it down.

WordPress: The Customizable Powerhouse

WordPress is the Swiss Army knife of website platforms. It’s flexible, endlessly customizable, and perfect for businesses that need more than just an online store.

Best for:
✅ Service-based businesses (coaches, designers, photographers, etc.)
✅ Bloggers & content-heavy sites
✅ Businesses needing total design & functionality freedom
✅ SEO fanatics who want to rank like a boss

Pros:
✔ Full design freedom—make your site look exactly how you want
✔ Tons of plugins (seriously, over 50,000) to add all the functionality you need
✔ Perfect for content-driven websites
✔ More control over SEO (hello, Google rankings!)

Cons:
❌ Slight learning curve—WordPress isn’t hard, but it takes some setup
❌ Requires maintenance (updates, security, backups—don’t worry, there are plugins for that)

Shopify: The E-Commerce Dream

If selling products is your main focus, Shopify is your best friend. It’s designed specifically for online stores, making it a seamless experience for both you and your customers.

Best for: 
✅ Product-based businesses (physical or digital products)
✅ Entrepreneurs who want a ready-to-go store with minimal setup
✅ Businesses that don’t want to deal with tech headaches
✅ Anyone who wants built-in payment processing

Pros:
✔ Super user-friendly—no tech skills needed
✔ Secure, reliable, and fully hosted (aka no maintenance for you)
✔ Optimized for e-commerce with built-in sales tools
✔ Handles payments, shipping, and inventory management seamlessly

Cons:
❌ Limited customization compared to WordPress
❌ Monthly fees (starting at $29/month)
❌ Not ideal for content-heavy sites

So, Which One is Right for You?

• If you’re selling products and want an easy, done-for-you e-commerce store → Go with Shopify.
• If you’re offering services, blogging, or want total creative freedom → WordPress is your best bet.
• If you need both (e.g., a website with a blog and an online store) → WordPress + WooCommerce gives you the best of both worlds.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, it’s all about what works best for your business. If you want full control, go WordPress. If you want an easy-to-run online store, Shopify’s got your back. Either way, picking the right platform now will save you headaches down the road.

Still not sure which one’s for you? Let’s chat—I’ll help you figure it out and get you set up with a website that actually works for your business! Schedule a Free Consultation and let’s start building the website that is perfect for you.

Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash